7 Symptoms of Renal Cancer

7 Symptoms of Renal Cancer

Renal cancer is a cancer of the kidney cells that develops when the kidney cells grow uncontrollably and form a cancerous tumor. It is also known as renal cell carcinoma. Obesity is a known factor contributing to this type of cancer, and men face a higher risk of this condition than women. Read on to understand some of the signs of renal cancer:

  • Backache
    Patients with renal cancer often experience symptoms like pain in the back. The pain may be dull or very sharp and unbearable, and it may last for days at a stretch. Back pain is mostly associated with advanced stages of renal cancer.
  • Lump in the body
    Lumps are common signs of cancers, and renal cancer can lead to the development of lumps in the abdomen. The kidneys are quite deep-set, so the lumps may take time to surface. Also, some lumps may be benign. So, any lump should be shown to a doctor and need to be diagnosed with a CT scan.
  • Fever
    Patients of renal cancer often develop fevers as the body tries to fight the disease. So, if one gets a recurrent fever with no known cause, they must visit a doctor for a checkup.
  • Weight loss
    Patients of renal cancer lose appetite, which results in a sudden drop in body weight. So, one should be aware of such changes and speak to their physician about these signs of renal cancer.
  • Low red blood cell count
    The kidneys play a vital role in the production of red blood cells in the body. With cancer, this function is impaired, so patients of renal cancer may develop anemia. This is linked to fatigue and can also make the skin turn pale. It is best to seek medical help if one finds themselves growing weak.
  • Exhaustion
    Most people with cancer begin to feel exhausted for no apparent reason, and it may happen even if they sleep at night well. So, if one feels exhausted or fatigued even though they got proper sleep the previous night, they should consult a doctor about it. Also, the exhaustion does not merely make one sleepy but also leaves them with less energy to perform day-to-day tasks.
  • Hematuria
    Hematuria is one of the most common signs of renal cancer and refers to blood in the urine. Hematuria is reported by almost 50 percent of kidney cancer patients. The blood may make the urine appear dark brown, red, or even pink. In other cases, the blood is so faint that a medical test is needed to detect its presence. Blood in the urine may also signify other health issues like stones or infections in the kidneys. Also, the blood may not appear in the urine daily but on alternate days.